point counterpoint camp after reopening

November 18, 2008 at 04:03 AM ·

I don't know anything about the new, but I have fond memories of the old and made tremendous progress while I was there.  The repertoire you mentioned makes me recall my summer at the Indiana University program, which I think is four weeks (comparable to PCP; much shorter than something like Meadowmount, and not as brutal!).  A productive summer.  They took my shoulder rest, though. :) 

January 21, 2009 at 05:23 PM ·

Hi everybody!  Regarding Point CounterPoint, perhaps there's no better person than me to write a bit about the program.  I have been on the violin faculty since 1998, know the ins and outs of how the camp is run, and have personally seen how young musicians can benefit from this wonderful festival!

PCP was closed in 2007 due to a transition of administration, but in summer 2008 we had a monumentally successful re-opening.  Once again, music filled the air in our cozy camp on Lake Dunmore. 

PCP is set up similarly to Meadowmount, or Encore.  There are several music periods that take up most of the morning, then lunch followed by a rest period.  For the rest of the afternoon, the activities staff plans all sorts of fun activities, or the waterfront opens for swimming, boating, canoeing, kayaking, etc.  We have one more music period in the late afternoon, followed by dinner.  In the evenings, if there isn't a student concert scheduled, there is more free time for students to put in extra practice/rehearsal, or often times there are other camp-wide activities planned.

I could write a novel on this place, but I'll try to hit main points.  PCP is unique in that it champions chamber music - an art of playing together in a small ensemble.  Many students lack this sort of experience, and find themselves playing in large orchestras where the amount of responsibility is minimal.  At PCP the faculty to student ratio is very low; with 50-60 students a session, and 7 faculty AND full activities staff, no child goes unnoticed or "disappears" in a crowd of campers.  We take pride in knowing every child's name, and helping every single student develop their musical - as well as social - skills.  The comments we've heard from both campers and parents alike have been astounding. 

The level of students ranges from young talented beginner, to experienced older high-schooler.  We've seen some extraordinarily gifted musicians come to our camp.  No student should feel as though they're too good, or not good enough to come.  EVERY SINGLE STUDENT will come out of PCP a better musician, and with a more distinct knowledge of chamber music, nature, and friendship.  

As a student, I attended Meadowmount and other string camps growing up.  I wish I would have known about PCP as a child, because if I'm having this much fun there as a faculty member, I would assume as a student there I would have been in heaven.  Vermont is a gloriously beautiful state, Lake Dunmore provides a perfect backdrop for our goals of nurturing socially-active musicians, and there is truly a healthy and friendly "camp atmosphere" which usually lacks in music-festival settings. 

For more information, and to see plenty of pictures of our location and camp life, please visit http://www.pointcp.com   THANK YOU FOR READING!  See you this summer in Vermont!

January 21, 2009 at 07:19 PM ·

One more thing: I simply have to commend our new directors, Jenny Beck, and Anne Tyson.  I was apprehensive at first knowing all about the "old PCP" and how it went, and wondered how and what changes might be introduced, and how the overall camp might respond.

I can tell you firsthand that both Jenny and Anne have elevated the camp to a new level of fun, excitement, and modern social awareness that I never saw in my previous years on faculty.  The atmosphere on campus is richly social, supportive, and we have a strict zero-tolerance to bullying and antagonism.  We at PCP feel strongly that every person who would like to improve their performance or knowledge of music deserves that chance, with nothing standing in their way.  Jenny and Anne have tirelessly worked to provide this opportunity.  I can guarantee any student a fun, educational summer.  Thanks again!

January 22, 2009 at 10:06 PM ·

i'd like to add on to dave that i also really highly recommend PCP. i went there for three summers ('04, '05, and '06) and found it to be very rewarding, both my first summer, when i was new to chamber music, and the other summers when i was more advanced. although i haven't been there under the new directors, my younger sister went on cello this summer and loved it. so, in short i'd also recommend it. 

January 28, 2009 at 12:33 AM ·

Hello, Mr. Lamse and thank you for your encouraging post. We are looking forward to a wonderful experience for my daughter. I talked to Anne and she'll be auditioning in Philadelphia in a couple of weeks. It sounds like PCP is going to be a great fit for her.